Opposition joint team to contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh under SPP banner

SINGAPORE — The team from two opposition parties that will contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh in the coming General Election (GE) will do so under the Singapore People’s Party (SPP) banner.

Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) secretary-general Benjamin Pwee said his party is happy to contest in the five-member Group Representation Constituency (GRC) under the SPP’s banner, as requested by SPP chairman Lina Chiam.

“The (SPP) brand name is a lot more recognised here, Hamim and I also ran under the SPP the last time (in the 2011 elections). And the SPP is still very much identified with Mr Chiam (See Tong, its secretary-general),” he told the media at both parties’ first joint walkabout outside Bishan MRT Station today (Aug 11).

Mr Pwee and DPP chairman Mohamad Hamim Aliyas — who left the SPP with several others after the 2011 GE — will be among DPP’s candidates put forward for the joint team, which will be selected by both parties, Mr Pwee said.

The SPP team led by Mr Chiam in 2011 lost the contest with 43.07 per cent of the votes. Both parties agreed after last week’s talks among Opposition parties to field a joint team for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

The SPP is also looking to contest in Hong Kah North, Mountbatten and Potong Pasir single-seat wards in the coming election.

The DPP is awaiting the SPP’s confirmed candidates for Bishan-Toa Payoh, and both sides will pick the “best five”, said Mr Pwee.

Both parties, which met up yesterday, are working on a joint manifesto for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

Mr Pwee said some municipal issues they would highlight include the sweeping of monsoon drains and the presence of dengue hot spots.

Activists from both parties handed out flyers to the public today stating that the joint team is keen to serve and would like to hear from residents on issues such as housing, education and employment. The SPP’s central executive committee members Kumar Appavoo and Williiamson Lee, as well as members including Mr Ravi Philemon, were present today. Mrs Chiam was not at the walkabout as she was engaged in outreach at Potong Pasir, said Mr Philemon.

In a statement on its Facebook page last night, SPP said the joint team would offer voters in Bishan Toa-Payoh GRC a stronger alternative, but the partnership would not extend beyond the GRC. “The SPP will continue to put up our strongest candidates for Potong Pasir, Mountbatten and Hong Kah North SMC. Our candidates will continue to be guided by SPP’s party manifesto,” the party said.